Flu cases surge in Scotland as visitors restricted amid vaccine mutation fears
Scotland’s flu season has started earlier than last year’s winter surge.
Visiting is being restricted to hospital wards after flu cases in Scotland soared by almost 50 per cent in the space of a week.
At least one Scottish health board has also told patients with flu-like symptoms to stay away from A&E, while fears have emerged a mutation is rendering this year’s vaccine less effective than hoped.
Data from Public Health Scotland shows that laboratory-confirmed flu cases increased by 45 per cent from 555 to 805.
In the week ending November 23, Scotland had an infection rate at 14.5 per cent per 100,000, a 10 per cent increase from the previous week.
Admissions to hospital have also increased from 279 to 391, with those testing positive for the virus rising from 11 per cent to 15.8 per cent.
The five to 14 age group increased from medium to high activity level while the one to four age group remained at medium activity level. The under 1 and 15-44 age groups increased from low to medium activity level. The 45-64, 65-74 and over 75 age groups remained at low activity level, according to the data.
The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area remained at medium activity, with 272 flu cases confirmed in the space of a week - an increase of 18 per cent.
In Glasgow, health bosses have told people with mild to moderate flu-like symptoms not to attend A&E or visit friends of family in hospital amid fears over the virus spreading to vulnerable patients.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde consultant in public health medicine, Dr Iain Kennedy, said: “The A&E waiting room isn’t the place to be with mild flu symptoms.
“Not only do you risk spreading the virus to others, but you’ll also have a wait that you could avoid if you were to call 111. They will signpost you to the best place for you while you stay in the comfort of your home, including helping those with more severe symptoms or higher risk of complications to access appropriate care.”
He added: “If you have a loved one in hospital and you are experiencing flu symptoms, it is better to miss a visit, than to take the risk of passing it on to them or others around them.
“Overall, the best thing to do to maximise protection from the flu is to get the vaccine if you’re eligible.”
In Ayrshire and Arran and Dumfries and Galloway, health boards increased their activity from low to medium. In the Borders, Forth Valley, Grampian, Highland, Lanarkshire and Tayside health boards remained at low activity level.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway has also restricted visitors and has introduced the use of masks, while some hospital wards have been closed to new admissions due to the increase in infections.
Dr Kenneth Donaldson, medical director for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, said: "We are currently seeing a significant increase in both respiratory and gastrointestinal infections across the region.
"Seasonal flu has arrived early this year, and we are also managing a rising number of norovirus outbreaks.
"Even mild symptoms can easily pass to others and have serious consequences for vulnerable patients.”
NHS Lothian and Orkney and Shetland health boards increased from baseline to low activity level while Fife and Western Isles health boards remained at baseline activity level.
Scotland’s flu season has started to peak earlier than last year, when the country experienced a surge in cases and hospitalisations.
But concerns have emerged over a mutation which appears to mean the vaccine is less effective than hoped against that strain. This year’s flu jag offers important protection and potentially stop some patients requiring hospital treatment, despite the mutation.
Glasgow GP, Dr Victoria Shotton, told the BBC that “we are seeing a massive increase in presentations on a daily basis”.
She added: “It has started early this year and is more severe than last year.
"Unfortunately it looks like this year's jab isn't offering the same protection as last year. Through no fault of anyone involved, it isn't quite covering the main strain that's going around.
"However, that doesn't mean that it's not worth getting because it will still offer some protection and prevent the flu from getting so serious that you need to go to hospital."
A spokeswoman for Public Health Scotland, said that “early evidence from the UK Health Security Agency shows that this year’s vaccine does a good job preventing hospital admissions due to flu for the strains currently circulating in the UK”.
She added: “Children are around 70-75 per cent less likely to attend or be admitted to hospital with flu if vaccinated, and adults are around 30-40 per cent less likely to attend or be admitted.
“With case numbers for flu still increasing, we're continuing to encourage those who are eligible to come forward to receive their flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Scottish Labour health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, said: "We have had five NHS recovery plans in four years under this SNP government, yet our NHS is in dire straits.
"Patients and staff are bearing the brunt of this failure, with thousands of Scots stuck on waiting lists and A&E pushed to breaking point.
“Meanwhile, there are 400,000 fewer adults vaccinated now than there were this time two years ago, while children’s vaccination rates are down and some areas have not even started vaccinations yet.”
She added: "These latest statistics on influenza levels is a stark reminder of the need to get our health service back to where it needs to be, and the importance of having a truly substantive plan for recovery in place.
"We also know that going into winter, these pressures will only be even more difficult to get on top of.”
Scottish Conservative health spokesperson, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, warned about “a mounting flu epidemic”, claiming that “the situation is likely to get worse over the winter months”.
Criticising the Scottish Government’s record on the NHS, he added: “The SNP’s incompetence is costing lives. Frontline staff are doing everything they can, but they’ve been left with one arm tied behind their back because of the SNP’s dire workforce planning and Humza Yousaf’s flimsy recovery plan.
“Unless the nationalists act now, our NHS will buckle at the peak of winter. John Swinney needs to get his house in order.”
SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray has stressed the importance of people to receive the flu jag if they are eligible to do so.
He said: “Do everything you possibly can to make sure you are getting the immunisation you are entitled to because that is the best way that we protect ourselves from flu.
"It was a particular problem last year and caused us significant issues across the system, so that's the number one message."
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